John 18:12-27 | Kathryn Alban
Kathryn Alban
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Intro: Today we are going to focus on the disciple Peter. Peter and his brother, Andrew were fishermen who left their homes and families to follow Jesus.
Peters character is often times impulsive, bold, and intense:
He is seen jumping out of a boat to walk on water, only to take his eyes off of Jesus and begin to sink.
He is the first to exclaim Jesus’ deity
Peter Rebukes Jesus after Jesus tells the disciples that he will die and be raised on the third day.
Despite Peter’s flaws God still chooses him, loves him, and gives him a purpose.
In our scripture today we see more of this bold and impulsive character of Peter and also find the contrast and redemption that rests in Christ.
We will be starting in John chapter 13:36-38 and then jump to John chapter 18...
John 13:36–38 (ESV)
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Have you ever overestimated yourself? Have you ever made a promise with good intesions but didnt end up keeping it? The home that Miguel and I bought around 2 years ago was very outdated. We knew when buying it that the entire house would need painted trim and all. ...
In John 13 we see Peter proclaim “Lord, I will lay down my life for you.”
Now Peter has been following Jesus for 3 years now. He has seen Jesus do and say miraculous things. I am sure at this point Peter had no doubt that Jesus was the Messiah and he loved Jesus. But Peter’s statement was spoked out of his human strength.
If you believe in Christ I am sure you too would proclaim that you would give your life for him. But some of us can’t even give up our time for him, our phones for him, our things for him…
I think that Peter here fully beleived that he would give up his life for Jesus…but when put to the test, without His Savior phyically beside him, all of this boldness fanishes.
Let’s continue to John chapter 18, Between John 13 and John 18 we see Jesus continue to teach and warn his disciples about what’s going to happen. He tells them that he will leave and the Holy spirit will come. Jesus then left with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus’ prays to the father. While Jesus was praying Judas, the disciple that betrays Jesus, brings a group of soldiers and religous rulers to where Jesus was. Jesus steps out and surrenders himself to these soldiers, proclaiming to them, that He is who they are looking for, and to let his disciples go.
This brings us to our next portion of scripture staring John 18:10
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Here goes Peter again. As soon as the guards release the disciples he turns and cutts a guys ear off.
Now I have always wondered about this reactions from Peter, maybe it was just Peter being Peter. Or maybe he thought. Alright, now is my time to prove to Jesus that I would lay down my life for him. It was his time to show…I will fight for my Lord.
The problem was Peter was fighting out of his own human strength and understanding.
Literally the ruler of the universe is surrendering himself in peace and in contrast Peter is ready to start war.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.
Jesus even heals this man’s ear! Jesus was intune with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Peter was being led by His emotions.
Let’s continue: John 18:12-17
John 18:12–18 (ESV)
So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door.
So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
The first denial...
My father is a proclaimed “manly man”. He is one of those guys that likes to be tough. He’s been bit by a small shark, stung by a jelly fish, had cuts bruises and so on and so on. And with all of that he pushes through it and it’s like it’s just no big deal. But there are some funny things about this big tough guy. There was one vacation that my family and I had rented a house close enough to walk to the beach. One day my father and I decide to go down to the beach for a walk and we are so close we just leave our shoes behind. We are walking on this road that has a good amount of gravel or rocks. and I’m walking along and hear behind me “ouch, ouch, ouch”. With each step my Dad is taking. Now this is a guy that shrugs off shark bites and gashes in his arm but the bottom of his feet are so sensative that he can’t walk over a few rocks. This little stones hit his vulnerable spot. It was so funny and now I make fun of his sensative feet all the time.
We all of weaknesses though don’t we? We all of points of sensativity in our lives.
In this scripture we see Peter, who just drew his sword to fight, deny Jesus.
Peter didn’t deny Jesus because there was a person holding up a knife to his throat and threatening him…no he denies Jesus to a servant girl.
This is a very different Peter we are seeing now. But why?
Why does Peter now lie about even knowing the Lord He loves?
This servant girl is hiting Peter with this question at his vulnerable spot. Bold Peter no longer has his Lord at his side.
Without Christ Peter’s true colors come out.
His humanity is seen.
-Keep in mind Pentecost has not yet happened, the Holy Spirit has not yet come. Peter’s confidence has been taken from him and is now in chains...
Let’s continue reading
John 18:19–27 (ESV)
The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.
Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”
Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
The 2nd and 3rd Denial...
I love how the gospel of John contrasts Peter and Jesus in chapter 18. It is almost as if Peter’s entire character is falling apart, yet he is warm by the fire...
meanwhile Jesus is bound and being harassed and questionsed, yet is completely undercontrol. Even after being slapped in the face Jesus response with such wisdom and steadfastness (power).
This demonstrates the difference between human reaction and godly reaction…our human reaction tends to esculate situations and are based out of fear and selfishness. Godly reactions, shown by Jesus, have no fear. They are not rash or selfish but instead composed.
-After visiting the scene of Jesus, John goes back to speaking on were Peter is. And sadly we see Peter deny Christ 2 more times.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Out of fear and without His Savior at His side, Peter denies Jesus 2 more times.
-You know I honestly cannot say that I wouldn’t have reacted the same way as Peter. The person who Peter thought was coming to conquer and take authority was bound and no longer with him. He was now alone and confused...
They funny thing is that Jesus literly just told Peter and the other disciples what would happen but you know as humans things seem to go right over our heads.
When I warn Ezra not to do something cause it will hurt her, what does she still do? She does it anyway then comes crying to me because she got hurt.
Have you ever heard God tell you something or has the scriptures ever spoken into a situation in your life, almost as if to tell you exactly what would happen but then you are still surprised when it actually happens.
Peter is just human here, being overwhelmed by loss and fear, he forgets the very words just spoken by Jesus.
And in verse 27…he hears the rooster crow.
And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Peter then recognizes his sin, he is humbled and sees his weakness. He wasn’t as strong as he thought. He had allowed himself to be detached from Jesus out of fear.
But, if you know Peter’s story you know it doesn’t end there…God’s story is not one of condemnation but redemtion.
After Jesus dies and is resorected he speaks with Peter:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
3 times Peter denies, 3 times Jesus gives restoration.
Conclusion:
Where have you denied Christ in your life?
Where do you still remain unstable, trying to keep everything together in your own strenght?
Where in your life do you feel lonley and fearful?
-Accept Jesus into those areas. Do not be ashamed because there is redemption in the Name of Jesus.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak....that is why we need too rely on Jesus, rely on the gift of the Holy Spirit for our strength.
God is saying to you too… “Follow me”